WEBVTT NEWS 8 AT 6:00 STARTS NOW. 5,983, SEXUAL ASSAULTS THE PENTAGON SAYS WERE REPORTED IN THE U.S. MILITARY THIS YEAR. IT'S UP NEARLY 8% FROM LAST YEAR. THE PENTAGON SAYS IT'S ACTUALLY A SIGN THAT NEW PROGRAMS ARE WORKING. BARBARA BARR WENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE PROGRAMS WORK. WHEN YOU WEAR THE UNIFORM AND LIVE BY AN HONOR CODE, MORE IS EXPECTED. THE NUMBER COMING OUT OF THE PENTAGON SHOWING A STEADY RISE IN REPORTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN THE MILITARY. I THINK SOCIETY DOES HOLD US TO A HIGHER STANDARD. I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHY WE GET THE LIGHTS SHOWN ON US FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR SAYS THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS REPORTED IS IN LINE WITH SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYMORE PROBLEM IN THE MILITARY THAN THERE IS ON THE PRIVATE SIDE. I THINK THERE'S AN INCREASE IN CONFIDENCE THAT THE SOLDIERS HAVE IN THEIR COMMANDS NOW. THEY'RE BUCKING THE NATIONAL TREND. WE SAW A BIG DECREASE, ALMOST 50% LESS FROM 2011, BUT WE'VE BEEN STEADY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THIS AS RESOURCES HAVE INCREASED. TO AID VICTIMS, THE MILITARY INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GUARD CREATED A SPECIAL VICTIMS' COUNCIL ENABLING VICTIMS TO GET A MILITARY ATTORNEY FREE OF CHARGE. IF THEY HAVE LEGAL QUESTIONS, IF THEY HAVE TO GO TO TRIAL, IF THEY'RE GOING THROUGH ANY KIND OF BOARD, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LEGAL REPRESENTATION, WHICH IS A NEW -- WHICH IS A NEW THING FOR THE MILITARY. PREVENTION IS STILL KEY. I THINK THE BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR EACH OTHER IS LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK OR FEEL RIGHT, TRY TO PUT A STOP TO IT. HAVING EACH OTHERS' BACKS ON OR OFF THE FRONT LINE.